Objective Urine type IV collagen has been recognized as an early sensitive marker for diabetic nephropathy. For quality assurance in clinical use, the function was initially evaluated as a one-step ELISA of sandwich method, and the reference intervals were established and the pre-analytical and influential factors were investigated. Methods ELISA was used to determine the concentration of type Ⅳ collagen in urine. Kit was evaluated on sensitivity, linearity, precision, specificity and recovery rate. Interference factors were also investigated, and a rough reference range was obtained. Pre-analytic factors, such as specimen collection, centrifugation, storage condition and duration, frozen and thawing, even diurnal periodicity, were all included in this test. Results The assay was satisfactory in sensitivity (0.2ng/ml), linearity (0.8-50ng/ml), precision (CV

To assess the effects of short term physical training on left ventricular dimensions and function, 12 young sedentery subjects were studied with echocardiography before and after 10 weeks of endurance physical conditioning consisted of a 3000 meter running protocol 3 days a week.
Exercise training led to an increase in maximal oxygen uptake (Vo₂max: 48.3±4.4 versus 60.0±6.2ml/kg/min: p<0.001) . This functional improvement, however, was not accompanied by any significant change in resting echocardiographic measurements including left ventricular dimensions, ejection fraction and mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening.
On semi-supine exercise echocardiography no significant change was revealed after 10 weeks of physical training.
This study suggests that short term physical training in young subjects result in significant increase in Vo₂max but this functional improvement is not always associated with significant alterations in left ventricular dimensions and function as observed by echocardiogram.

Control of the blood sugar level is the fundamental treatment for diabetes mellitus. However, it is extremely difficult to effectively control the blood sugar level over a long period, during which complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy may develop. Impaired polyol (sorbitol) metabolism is considered to be a cause of neuropathy among these complications of diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy occurs in a relatively early stage. Its incidence increases with the prolongation of the diabetic condition, and the plight of the patients suffering from extensive tissue damage is profound. In this study, assessment was made regarding the effects of the aldose reductase inhibitor epalrestat, which is expected to reverse the pathogenic mechanism of diabetic neuropathy, on symptoms of neuropathy, erythrocyte sorbitol level, and threshold of vibratory sensibility.
[Subjects] The subjects were 7 male and 4 female outpatients who consistently exhibited spontaneous pain, dysesthesia, and autonomic disorders, or showed abnormalities in the erythrocyte sorbitol level and threshold of vibratory sensibility, and were taking 50 mg of epalrestat (1 tablet) before each meal for at least 6 months. The period of investigation was from October 1992 to March 1993.
[Methods] The subjects were explained about the aim of the study and their informed consents were obtained. They were inquired about symptoms while they were waiting for medicine in the Drug Information Management Office. Data concerning the erythrocyte sorbitol level and threshold of vibratory sensibility were obtained from charts.
[Results and Conclusions] 1) Improvement rates by subjective symptom: 75.0% for spontaneous pain; concerning dysesthesia, 57.1% for numbness of hands and feet, 40.0% for coldness of extremities, 33.3% for hot flushes, 75.0% for hypoesthesia, and 50.0% for itching; concerning autonomic disorders, 75.0% for dizziness on standing up, and 33.3% for abnormal perspiration. 2) Effects by the duration of illness: Improvements were greater as the duration of illness was shorter. 3) Erythrocyte sorbitol level: Improvements were generally unremarkable. 4) Threshold of vibratory sensibility: Fair improvements were observed in general. Neuropathy occurs from a relatively early stage of diabetes, and chronic hyperglycemia is considered to be the most important factor. Regulation of the blood sugar level is essential for the treatment, but if it is impossible, the pain and discomfort of patients may be alleviated by epalrestat, and the administration should be started as early as possible since, in this study, the drug was more effective as the duration of illness was shorter.